CN107264041B

CN107264041B - Liquid box

Info

Publication number: CN107264041B
Application number: CN201610873342.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 冈崎真也; 小林哲郎; 塘口卓; 大野彰人; 温井康介; 高桥宏明
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2016-03-31
Filing date: 2016-09-30
Publication date: 2020-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-30
Also published as: EP3260298A1; US10029472B2; JP6852272B2; CN107264041A; US20190001694A1; US20170282583A1; US10384460B2; JP2017177732A; EP3260298B1

Abstract

The liquid cartridge includes: a housing comprising a liquid chamber; a liquid supply section; a deformable member; a movable member; and a support member. The liquid chamber is configured such that an internal pressure of the liquid chamber decreases as the liquid flows out of the liquid chamber. The liquid supply portion allows the liquid in the liquid chamber to flow out from the liquid chamber. The deformable member protrudes further upward with respect to the upper surface of the housing. The deformable member has an interior space in communication with the liquid chamber. The deformable member is elastically deformable such that the volume of the internal space decreases as the internal pressure of the liquid chamber decreases. The movable member includes a detection portion movable in upward and downward directions in accordance with elastic deformation of the deformable member. The support member movably supports the movable member.

Description

Liquid box

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a liquid cartridge provided with a movable member that moves with elastic deformation of a deformable member.

Background

There are conventional inkjet recording apparatuses known in the art that are capable of recording an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink stored in an ink tank through nozzles. One such inkjet recording apparatus is configured such that a new ink cartridge can be attached each time the ink in the ink cartridge that has been attached is depleted.

Utility model registration publication JP3156861 discloses an ink cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a cartridge attachment portion of an inkjet recording apparatus. The ink cartridge has a detection mechanism for optical detection of the remaining amount of ink. The detection mechanism includes a movable rod that is pivotally movable about a fixed axis and a soft support cap. When the ink stored in the ink bag is consumed, the ink bag shrinks. As the ink bag shrinks, the soft support cap also shrinks. This causes the movable bar to change its pivot attitude. By optically detecting the change in the pivot posture of the movable rod, the consumption of ink in the ink cartridge can be detected.

In the above ink cartridge, since the inner space of the soft support cap communicates with the ink bag, the ink can flow into the inner space of the soft support cap. Therefore, depending on whether or not ink is present in the internal space of the soft support cap, the deformation of the soft support cap may become unstable. Accordingly, the amount of ink remaining in the ink bag when the movable bar is pivotally moved also becomes unstable, thereby making accurate detection of the remaining amount of ink difficult.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the foregoing, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid cartridge that enables accurate detection of a remaining amount of liquid.

To achieve the above and other objects, the present disclosure provides a liquid cartridge including: a housing; a liquid supply section; a deformable member; a movable member; and a support member. The housing includes a liquid chamber capable of storing a liquid therein. The liquid chamber is configured such that an internal pressure of the liquid chamber is reduced as liquid flows out of the liquid chamber. The housing includes an upper surface defined based on an attachment posture of the liquid cartridge. The liquid supply portion is configured to allow the liquid stored in the liquid chamber to flow out from the liquid chamber. The deformable member protrudes further upward relative to the upper surface of the housing. The deformable member has an interior space in communication with the liquid chamber. The deformable member is elastically deformable so that a volume of the internal space is reduced as an internal pressure of the liquid chamber is reduced. The movable member includes a detection portion. The detection portion is movable in an upward direction and a downward direction in accordance with elastic deformation of the deformable member. The support member movably supports the movable member.

Preferably, the movable member is in contact with the deformable member.

Preferably, the housing includes a wall extending in the upward direction from the upper surface of the housing, and the wall has a front end positioned closer to the support member than the detection section is to the support member.

Preferably, the support member is positioned further upward with respect to the upper surface of the housing, and the wall overlaps with the support member as viewed in the right and left directions, the wall having an upper end positioned further upward with respect to the support member.

Preferably, the wall has an upper end positioned further upward relative to the detection portion.

Preferably, the front end of the wall is positioned further rearward with respect to the detection part exposed to the outside of the liquid cartridge.

Preferably, the movable member is pivotally movable about the support member.

Preferably, the support member is supported by the wall.

Preferably, the movable member includes a stopper for restricting a pivotal movement of the movable member, the stopper being positioned opposite to the detection portion with respect to the support member.

Preferably, the detection portion is movable from an upper position at which the detection portion is in contact with the deformable member that is not elastically deformed to a lower position at which the detection portion is in contact with the deformable member that has been elastically deformed, and the support member is provided between the detection portion at the upper position and the detection portion at the lower position in the upward direction and the downward direction.

Preferably, the deformable member is formed of an elastic material.

Preferably, the detection portion of the movable member is positioned further upward with respect to the deformable member.

Preferably, the wall includes a pair of wall portions, one of which is disposed on the left of the movable member and the other of which is disposed on the right of the movable member.

Preferably, the housing further comprises: a front surface on which the liquid supply portion is provided; a rear surface opposite the front surface; a lower surface opposite the upper surface, the upper surface extending between the front surface and the rear surface; and a membrane defining a portion of the liquid chamber, the membrane being deformable with outflow of liquid from the liquid chamber such that a volume of the liquid chamber is reduced, and the upper surface of the housing having an opening through which a portion of the deformable member is inserted.

Preferably, the deformable member has a hardness higher than that of the membrane.

Preferably, the support member extends in right and left directions, and the movable member is pivotally movable about the support member.

Preferably, the housing has a communication passage for allowing the inner space of the deformable member to communicate with the liquid chamber, the communication passage extending in the upward direction and the downward direction.

Note that the attachment posture of the liquid cartridge means, for example, a posture of the liquid cartridge in a state where the liquid cartridge has been completely attached to the cartridge attachment portion of the inkjet recording apparatus. The attachment posture also means a posture of the liquid cartridge that can be attached to the cartridge attachment portion but is not yet attached to the cartridge attachment portion.

Drawings

The particular features and advantages of the embodiment(s), as well as other objects, will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of a printer 10 provided with a cartridge attaching part 110 to which an ink cartridge 30 according to one embodiment is detachably attached;

fig. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the cartridge attaching portion 110;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of ink cartridge 30;

fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 in which the detection portion 93 of the movable member 91 is in the first position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 taken along line V-V in FIG. 4;

fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing a positional relationship of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the

optical sensors

121 and 123 during a process in which the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching part 110, in which the light blocking part 82 of the identification rib 81 is located at a position to block light emitted from the optical sensor 121;

fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view showing a positional relationship of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the

optical sensors

121 and 123 during a process in which the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching part 110, in which the light blocking part 82 of the identification rib 81 is located at a position to block light emitted from the optical sensor 123;

fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing a positional relationship of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the

optical sensors

121 and 123 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge attaching part 110, in which the detecting part 93 of the movable member 91 is in the first position and blocks light emitted from the optical sensor 121;

fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view showing a positional relationship of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the

optical sensors

121 and 123 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge attaching part 110, in which the detecting part 93 of the movable member 91 is in the second position and light emitted from the optical sensor 121 is not blocked;

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the printer 10;

fig. 11A is a timing chart showing changes in signals output from the optical sensor 121 during the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge attaching portion 110;

fig. 11B is a timing chart showing changes in signals output from the optical sensor 123 during the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110;

fig. 11C is a timing chart showing changes in signals output from the optical sensor 121 during the process in which ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 is being consumed;

fig. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed by the controller 1 to determine whether the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attaching part 110; and is

Fig. 13A to 13D are schematic vertical sectional views of an ink cartridge 230 according to a first modification to the embodiment, in which fig. 13A shows a state in which an opening 258 is opened; and fig. 13B shows a state in which the opening 258 is closed; fig. 13C shows a state in which the ink channel 244 is under negative pressure; and fig. 13D shows a state in which the opening 255 is opened.

Detailed Description

An ink cartridge 30 and a printer 10 configured to accommodate the ink cartridge 30 will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 12 as an example of a liquid cartridge according to an embodiment, in which similar parts and components are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid repetitive description.

In the following description, a direction along which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attachment portion 110 is defined as a forward direction 51, and a direction opposite to the forward direction 51, that is, a direction along which the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge attachment portion 110 is defined as a backward direction 52. The forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 are parallel to the horizontal direction in this embodiment, but the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 may not necessarily be parallel to the horizontal direction.

Further, a direction orthogonal to the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 is defined as an upward direction 54, and a direction opposite to the upward direction 54 is defined as a downward direction 53. In this embodiment, the upward direction 54 is a vertically upward direction, and the downward direction 53 is a vertically downward direction. In other words, the downward direction 53 is the direction of gravity acting on the ink cartridge 30. The upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53 may not necessarily be parallel to the vertical direction.

Further, directions orthogonal to the forward direction 51 and the downward direction 53 are defined as a rightward direction 55 and a leftward direction 56. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 has been inserted into the cartridge attachment portion 110, that is, when the ink cartridge 30 is in a posture (i.e., an operation posture) capable of being attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110, when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the forward direction 51, that is, when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from the rear to the front, a direction toward the right is defined as a right direction 55 and a direction toward the left is defined as a left direction 56. In this embodiment, the rightward direction 55 and the leftward direction 56 are parallel to the horizontal direction, but the rightward direction 55 and the leftward direction 56 may not necessarily be parallel to the horizontal direction.

< brief summary of Printer 10>

The printer 10 is configured to selectively eject ink droplets onto a recording sheet based on an inkjet recording method to record an image thereon. As shown in fig. 1, the printer 10 includes a recording head 21, an ink supply device 100, and an ink tube 20, the ink tube 20 connecting the recording head 21 to the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge attachment portion 110. The plurality of ink cartridges 30 are attachable to and detachable from the cartridge attaching portion 110. The cartridge attachment portion 110 has one end in which an opening 112 is formed. The ink cartridge 30 is insertable into the cartridge attachment portion 110 through the opening 112 in the forward direction 51, and is removable from the cartridge attachment portion 110 through the opening 112 in the rearward direction 52.

In this embodiment, four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the respective four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black can be accommodated in the cartridge attachment portion 110 of the ink supply device 100. For explanatory purposes, in the following description and in the drawings, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that only one ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110.

In fig. 1, details of the internal structure of the ink cartridge 30 are omitted. The ink cartridge 30 stores ink (an example of liquid) that can be used in the printer 10. When the ink cartridge 30 has been completely attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected by a corresponding one of the ink tubes 20. The recording head 21 is provided with a plurality of (four in this embodiment) sub tanks 28 corresponding to the plurality of ink cartridges 30. Each sub tank 28 is configured to temporarily store ink supplied from a corresponding ink cartridge 30 through a corresponding ink tube 20. The recording head 21 is configured to selectively eject ink supplied from the respective sub tanks 28 through nozzles 29 according to an inkjet recording method. More specifically, the recording head 21 is provided with a head control board and piezoelectric elements 29A corresponding one-to-one to the nozzles 29. The head control board selectively applies a driving voltage to the piezoelectric elements 29A to selectively eject ink from the nozzles 29.

The printer 10 includes a sheet feeding tray 15, a sheet feeding roller 23, a pair of conveying rollers 25, a platen 26, a pair of discharge rollers 27, and a sheet discharge tray 16. A sheet feed roller 23 feeds a recording sheet from the sheet feed tray 15 onto the conveying path 24, and a conveying roller 25 conveys the recording sheet onto a platen 26. As the recording sheet passes over the platen 26, the recording head 21 selectively ejects ink onto the recording sheet, whereby an image is recorded on the recording sheet and the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 completely attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110 is consumed. The discharge rollers 27 receive the recording sheet that has passed over the platen 26, and discharge the recording sheet onto the sheet discharge tray 16 disposed at the most downstream position in the conveyance path 24.

< ink supply apparatus 100>

As shown in fig. 1, an ink supply device 100 is provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 is configured to supply ink to a recording head 21 provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge attaching portion 110 to which the ink cartridge 30 is detachably attachable. Incidentally, fig. 1 shows a state of the ink cartridge 30 having been completely attached to the cartridge attaching part 110.

< Cartridge attaching part 110>

As shown in fig. 2, the cartridge attaching portion 110 includes a casing 101, a plurality of ink needles 102, a plurality of optical sensors 121, a plurality of optical sensors 123, a plurality of lock levers 145, and a plurality of sets of a plurality of contacts 120.

The housing 101 is divided into four spaces arranged in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. In the four spaces, four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the four ink colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black can be accommodated accordingly.

In this embodiment, four ink needles 102, four optical sensors 121, four optical sensors 123, four lock levers 145, and four sets of a plurality of contacts 120 are provided in the cartridge attaching portion 110 so as to correspond to the four ink cartridges 30.

The four ink needles 102 are arranged in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and have the same configuration. The four optical sensors 121 are arranged in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and have the same configuration. The four optical sensors 123 are arranged in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and have the same configuration. The four lock levers 145 are arranged in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and have the same configuration. The four sets of the plurality of contacts 200 are arranged in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and have the same configuration.

Therefore, in the following description, for simplicity of explanation, the configuration of the respective one of the four ink needles 102, the four optical sensors 121, the four optical sensors 123, the four latch levers 145, and the four sets of the plurality of contacts 200 will be described in detail, and the configuration of the respective remaining three of the four ink needles 102, the four optical sensors 121, the four optical sensors 123, the four latch levers 145, and the four sets of the plurality of contacts 200 will be omitted.

< housing 101>

As shown in fig. 2, the case 101 constitutes a housing of the cartridge attachment section 110, and is formed in a box shape. The housing 101 has an interior top surface 115, an interior bottom surface 116, an interior end surface 117, and an opening 112.

The interior top surface 115 defines a top of the interior space 103 of the housing 101. The interior bottom surface 116 defines the bottom of the interior space 103 of the housing 101. The interior end surface 117 defines an end of the interior space 103 of the housing 101 in the forward direction 51. The inner end surface 117 connects the inner top surface 115 to the inner bottom surface 116. The opening 112 is located rearward from the inner end surface 117 and is arranged to face the inner end surface 117 in the rearward direction 52. The opening 112 can be exposed to a user interface surface of the printer 10, i.e., a surface that a user can face when using the printer 10.

Each of the four ink cartridges 30 is inserted into and removed from the casing 101 through the opening 112. The casing 101 is provided with three partition plates (not shown) that partition the internal space 103 into four spaces 103A each elongated in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54. The four ink cartridges 30 can be respectively detachably accommodated in the four spaces 103A divided by the three dividing plates.

An opening 112 formed in the housing 101 can be opened and closed by a cover (not shown). The cover is attached to a pivot shaft (not shown) extending in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 near the lower edge of the opening 112. With this configuration, the cover can be pivotally moved about the pivot shaft to a closed position where the opening 112 is closed and an open position where the opening 112 is open. When the cover is in the open position, the user can insert the ink cartridge 30 into the casing 101 and remove the ink cartridge 30 from the casing 101 through the opening 112. When the cover is in the closed position, the user cannot insert the ink cartridge 30 into the housing 101 or remove the ink cartridge 30 from the housing 101, nor can the user access the ink cartridge 30 housed in the housing 101.

A lid sensor 118 (see fig. 10) is provided at the housing 101 near the upper edge of the opening 112. The cover sensor 118 is a sensor for detecting whether the cover is in contact with the cover sensor 118. When the lid is in the closed position, the upper end portion of the lid contacts the lid sensor 118, and the lid sensor 118 outputs a detection signal to the controller 1. When the cover is not in the closed position, the cover sensor 118 does not output a detection signal.

< ink needle 102>

As shown in fig. 2, the ink needle 102 is made of resin having a tubular configuration. The ink needle 102 is disposed at a lower portion of the inner end surface 117 of the casing 101. The ink needle 102 is disposed on an inner end surface 117 of the casing 101 at a position corresponding to an ink supply portion 34 (see fig. 3, described later) of the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110. The ink needle 102 protrudes in the rearward direction 52 from the inner end surface 117 of the casing 101.

The cylindrical guide portion 105 is provided to surround the ink needle 102. The guide portion 105 protrudes in the rearward direction 52 from the inner end surface 117 of the housing 101. The guide portion 105 has an open protruding end. The ink needle 102 is arranged at the center of the guide portion 105. The guide portion 105 is formed in a shape that allows the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 to be inserted into the guide portion 105.

The ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the guide portion 105 during the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is to be inserted into the cartridge attachment portion 110 in the forward direction 51, that is, during the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is to be moved to the attachment position in the cartridge attachment portion 110. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110 in the forward direction 51, the ink needle 102 enters the ink supply port 71 (see fig. 3) formed in the ink supply portion 34. The ink needle 102 and the ink supply portion 34 can thus be connected to each other. Therefore, the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 (see fig. 4) formed inside the ink cartridge 30 flows into the corresponding ink tube 20 connected to the ink needle 102 through the internal space 106 (see fig. 4) of the ink supply portion 34 and the internal space 104 (see fig. 2) of the ink needle 102. The ink needle 102 may have a flat-shaped tip or a sharp tip.

<

optical sensors

121 and 123>

As shown in fig. 2, the optical sensor 121 and the optical sensor 123 are disposed on the interior top surface 115 of the housing 101. The optical sensor 123 is further arranged in the forward direction 51 (i.e., forward) with respect to the optical sensor 121.

The optical sensor 121 includes a light emitting portion (not shown) and a light receiving portion (not shown). The light emitting portion of the optical sensor 121 and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 121 are arranged to face each other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The light emitting portion of the optical sensor 121 is arranged at the right end portion of the space 103A in the internal space 103. The light receiving portion of the optical sensor 121 is arranged at the left end portion of the space 103A. The right and left positions of the light emitting part of the optical sensor 121 and the light receiving part of the optical sensor 121 may be reversely arranged.

The optical sensor 123 includes a light emitting portion (not shown) and a light receiving portion (not shown). The light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123 and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123 are arranged to face each other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123 is arranged at the right end portion of the space 103A. The light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123 is arranged at the left end portion of the space 103A. The right and left positions of the light emitting part of the optical sensor 123 and the light receiving part of the optical sensor 123 may be reversely arranged.

The optical sensor 121 and the optical sensor 123 are electrically connected to the controller 1 of the printer 10 through a circuit. The controller 1 will be described in detail later.

< locking lever 145>

As shown in fig. 2, the locking lever 145 is disposed near the inner top surface 115 of the casing 101 and near the opening 112, and extends in the left direction 56 and the right direction 55. The lock lever 145 is a rod-shaped member extending in the leftward direction 56 and the rightward direction 55. For example, the lock lever 145 is a metal columnar member. Both ends of the lock lever 145 in the left direction 56 and the right direction 55 are fixed to walls defining both ends of the casing 101 in the left direction 56 and the right direction 55.

The lock lever 145 is adapted to hold the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attaching part 110 at its attaching position. The ink cartridge 30 inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110 is engaged with the lock lever 145. In this way, the ink cartridge 30 is held in the cartridge attaching portion 110.

< contact 120>

As shown in fig. 2, the plurality of contacts 120 are disposed proximate to the interior top surface 115 of the housing 101 and proximate to the interior end surface 117 of the housing 101. The plurality of contacts 120 are provided to correspond to a plurality of electrodes (not shown) provided at an IC board 66 (described later). The plurality of contacts 120 are electrically connected to the IC board 66 when the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110.

< ink Cartridge 30>

The ink cartridge 30 shown in fig. 3 is a container configured to store ink therein. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, a space formed inside the ink cartridge 30 constitutes an ink chamber 36 for storing ink therein. The ink chamber 36 is formed by the internal frame 35 and the film 33. The inner frame 35 defines an inner space serving as an ink chamber 36 in which ink can be stored. When the internal pressure of the ink chamber 36 of the internal frame 35 decreases as ink flows out therefrom, the membrane 33 deforms such that the volume of the ink chamber 36 decreases as the ink in the ink chamber 36 decreases. The ink cartridge 30 further includes a rear cover 31 and a front cover 32. The rear cover 31 and the front cover 32 are examples of the housing. The internal frame 35 defining the ink chamber 36 may also be part of the housing.

The ink cartridge 30 shown in fig. 1 and 3 to 5 is in an attachment posture or an operation posture, i.e., a posture of the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 has been completely attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 for an image recording operation. As described in detail later, the ink cartridge 30 includes a front wall having a front surface 140, a rear wall having a rear surface 41, an upper wall having

upper surfaces

39 and 141, a lower wall having

lower surfaces

42 and 142,

right side walls

37 and 143 having right side surfaces, and left

side walls

38 and 144 having left side surfaces. In the attachment postures of the ink cartridge 30 shown in fig. 1 and 3 to 5, the direction from the rear surface 41 toward the front surface 140 corresponds to the forward direction 51, the direction from the front surface 140 toward the rear surface 41 corresponds to the rearward direction 52, the direction from the

upper surfaces

39 and 141 toward the

lower surfaces

42 and 142 corresponds to the downward direction 53, and the direction from the

lower surfaces

42 and 142 toward the

upper surfaces

39 and 141 corresponds to the upward direction 54. In the attachment posture of the ink cartridge 30, the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54 are parallel to the gravitational direction. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110 and attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the front surface 140 faces the forward direction 51, the rear surface 41 faces the rearward direction 52, the right side surfaces of the

right side walls

37 and 143 face the rightward direction 55, the left side surfaces of the

left side walls

38 and 144 face the leftward direction 56, the

lower surfaces

42 and 142 face the downward direction 53, and the

upper surfaces

39 and 141 face the upward direction 54. The forward direction 51 is a direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110, and the backward direction 52 is a direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge attaching portion 110. The forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 intersect the direction of gravity.

As shown in fig. 3 to 5, the ink cartridge 30 includes: a rear cover 31, the rear cover 31 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape; a front cover 32, a portion of the front cover 32 constituting a front surface 140; and an internal frame 35, the internal frame 35 defining an ink chamber 36 and an ink channel 44. The rear cover 31 and the front cover 32 provide the outer shape of the ink cartridge 30 in combination. The inner frame 35 is accommodated inside the rear cover 31 and the front cover 32. The ink cartridge 30 has an overall flat shape such that the dimensions of the ink cartridge 30 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 are narrow, and the dimensions of the ink cartridge 30 in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54 and the dimensions of the ink cartridge 30 in the forward direction 51 and the rearward direction 52 are larger than the dimensions of the ink cartridge 30 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31 is arranged such that the ink chamber 36 is interposed between the rear surface 41 and the front surface 140 of the front cover 32.

The outer surface of the ink cartridge 30 is substantially formed of six surfaces, i.e., a front surface 140, a rear surface 41,

upper surfaces

39 and 141,

lower surfaces

42 and 142, right side surfaces of the

right side walls

37 and 143, and left side surfaces of the

left side walls

38 and 144. Of these six surfaces, the right side surfaces of the

right side walls

37 and 143 and the left side surfaces of the

left side walls

38 and 144 are the largest in area. The front surface 140 and the rear surface 41 are surfaces expanding in the upward direction 54, the downward direction 53, the rightward direction 55, and the leftward direction 56. The upper surfaces 39 and 141 and the

lower surfaces

42 and 142 are surfaces expanding in the forward direction 51, the backward direction 52, the right direction 55, and the left direction 56. The right side surfaces of the

right side walls

37 and 143 and the left side surfaces of the

left side walls

38 and 144 are surfaces expanding in the forward direction 51, the backward direction 52, the upward direction 54, and the downward direction 53.

Each of the front surface, rear surface, upper surface, lower surface, right side surface, and left side surface of the ink cartridge 30 does not necessarily form one flat surface. That is, the front surface is a surface(s) of the ink cartridge 30 that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the rearward direction 52 and is further positioned in the forward direction 51 (i.e., forward) relative to the central portions of the ink cartridge 30 in the forward direction 51 and the rearward direction 52. The rear surface is a surface(s) of the ink cartridge 30 that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the forward direction 51 and is positioned further in the rearward direction 52 (i.e., rearward) with respect to the center portion of the ink cartridge 30 in the forward direction 51 and the rearward direction 52. The upper surface is a surface(s) of the ink cartridge 30 that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53 and is further positioned in the upward direction 54 (i.e., upward) with respect to the center portion of the ink cartridge 30 in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54. The lower surface is a surface(s) of the ink cartridge 30 that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the upward direction 54 and is further positioned in the downward direction 53 (i.e., downward) with respect to the center portion of the ink cartridge 30 in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54. The same applies to the right and left side surfaces. The right side surface is a surface(s) of the ink cartridge 30 that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the left direction 56 and is further positioned in the right direction 55 (i.e., to the right) with respect to the center portion of the ink cartridge 30 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The left side surface is a surface(s) of the ink cartridge 30 that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the right direction 55 and is further positioned in the left direction 56 (i.e., leftward) with respect to the center portion of the ink cartridge 30 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.

In this embodiment, the upper surface 39, which is further positioned in the rearward direction 52 (i.e., rearward) with respect to the upper surface 141, is positioned higher than the upper surface 141. However, the upper surface 39 and the upper surface 141 may be arranged at the same height, i.e., at the same position in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54.

< rear cover 31>

As shown in fig. 3, the rear cover 31 is formed in a box-like shape having one end opened in the forward direction 51. Specifically, the rear cover 31 includes a right side wall 37 having a right side surface, a left side wall 38 having a left side surface, an upper wall having an upper surface 39, a rear wall having a rear surface 41, and a lower wall having a lower surface 42. The rear cover 31 is configured such that a right side surface of the right side wall 37 and a left side surface of the left side wall 38 are arranged spaced from each other in the rightward direction 55 and the leftward direction 56, the upper surface 39 faces the upward direction 54, and the lower surface 42 faces the downward direction 53, and the right side surface of the right side wall 37, the left side surface of the left side wall 38, the upper surface 29, and the lower surface 42 extend from the rear surface 41 in the forward direction 51. The inner frame 35 is inserted into the rear cover 31 through the front opening of the rear cover 31. That is, the rear cover 31 covers the rear of the inner frame 35.

The locking portion 43 is provided at the rear cover 31 above the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31. The locking portion 43 protrudes in the upward direction 54. The locking portion 43 extends in a forward direction 51 and a rearward direction 52 above the upper surface 39. The lock portion 43 has a surface facing the rearward direction 52 serving as a lock surface 171. The locking surface 171 extends in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54. The locking surface 171 is a surface that can contact the locking lever 145 of the cartridge attachment portion 110 rearward in the rearward direction 52 when the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110. When the locking surface 171 contacts the locking lever 145 rearward in the rearward direction 52, the locking portion 43 and the locking lever 145 engage with each other. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 is held in the cartridge attaching portion 110.

The lock portion 43 also has an inclined surface 175 at a position further in the forward direction 51 (i.e., forward) with respect to the lock surface 171. The inclined surface 175 faces the upward direction 54 and the forward direction 51.

The operating portion 90 is provided on the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31 at a position further in the rearward direction 52 (i.e., rearward) with respect to the locking surface 171. In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the user operates the operating portion 90 to remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge attaching portion 110.

The rear cover 31 further includes a right wall 46 and a left wall 47.

The right wall 46 is provided on the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31 at a position further in the right direction 55 (i.e., to the right) with respect to the lock portion 43, and extends from the upper surface 39 in the upward direction 54. The right wall 46 has an outer surface facing in a rightward direction 55, and the outer surface expands in a forward direction 51, a rearward direction 52, a downward direction 53, and an upward direction 54.

The left wall 47 is provided on the upper surface 39 at a position further in the leftward direction 56 (i.e., leftward) with respect to the lock portion 43, and extends from the upper surface 39 in the upward direction 54. The left wall 47 has an outer surface facing in a leftward direction 56, and the outer surface expands in a forward direction 51, a rearward direction 52, a downward direction 53, and an upward direction 54.

The right wall 46 and the left wall 47 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the rightward direction 55 and the leftward direction 56. A space is formed between the right wall 46 and the left wall 47. The space formed between the right wall 46 and the left wall 47 is open in the forward direction 51.

The upper portions of the right wall 46 and the right side wall 37 are examples of walls of the housing. The upper portions of the left wall 47 and the left side wall 38 are examples of walls of the housing.

As shown in fig. 4, a support shaft 48 as an example of a support member is provided between the right side wall 37 and the left side wall 38 at a position below the upper surface 39. In other words, the support shaft 48 is disposed at a position higher than the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32 (i.e., further upward with respect to the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32). The support shaft 48 extends in a right direction 55 and a left direction 56. The right and left ends of the support shaft 48 are supported by the upper portions of the right and left

side walls

37 and 38, respectively. The movable member 91 (described above) is pivotally movably supported by the support shaft 48. The positions of the right and left

side walls

37, 38 in the forward and

rearward directions

51, 52 overlap with the positions of the support shaft 48 in the forward and

rearward directions

51, 52. In other words, the right side wall 37 and the left side wall 38 overlap with the support shaft 48 as viewed in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. Further, the upper end of the right wall 46 and the upper end of the left wall 47 are positioned higher than the support shaft 48 (i.e., further upward with respect to the support shaft 48). The relationship between the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the right wall 46, the left wall 47, and the movable member 91 will be described in detail later.

< front cover 32>

As shown in fig. 3, the front cover 32 is formed in a box-like shape having one end opened in the rearward direction 52. Specifically, the front cover 32 includes a front wall having a front surface 140, an upper wall having an upper surface 141, a lower wall having a lower surface 142, a right side wall 143 having a right side surface, and a left side wall 144 having a left side surface. The front cover 32 is configured such that a right side surface of the right side wall 143 and a left side surface of the left side wall 144 are arranged spaced from each other in the rightward direction 55 and the leftward direction 56, the upper surface 141 and the lower surface 142 are arranged spaced from each other in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, and the right side surface of the right side wall 143, the left side surface of the left side wall 144, the upper surface 141, and the lower surface 142 extend from the front surface 140 in the rearward direction 52. The inner frame 35 is inserted into the front cover 32 through a rear opening of the front cover 32. That is, the front cover 32 covers the front portion of the inner frame 35 which is not covered by the rear cover 31.

The right side wall 37 of the rear cover 31 extends further in the upward direction 54 (i.e., upward) with respect to the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32, and the right wall 46 extends further in the upward direction 54 (i.e., upward) with respect to the right side wall 37. The left side wall 38 of the rear cover 31 extends further in the upward direction 54 (i.e., upward) with respect to the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32, and the left side wall 47 extends further in the upward direction 54 (i.e., upward) with respect to the right side wall 37. That is, the upper portions of the right wall 46 and the right sidewall 37 extend in the upward direction 54 from the upper surface 141. Further, upper portions of the left wall 47 and the left side wall 38 extend in the upward direction 54 from the upper surface 141.

The hole 97 is formed at a lower portion thereof in the front wall constituting the front surface 140 of the front cover 32. An aperture 97 passes through the front wall of the front cover 32 in the rearward direction 52. The hole 97 allows the ink supply portion 34 of the inner frame 35 to be exposed to the outside in a state where the inner frame 35 is inserted into the front cover 32. Therefore, the hole 97 is formed to have a position, size, and shape corresponding to the ink supply portion 34. The ink supply 34 is thus arranged at the front surface 140 of the front cover 32.

As shown in fig. 3, an elongated hole 79 is formed in an upper wall constituting the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32. The elongated hole 79 extends in the forward direction 51 and the rearward direction 52. The deformable member 58 (described later) protrudes further in the upward direction 54 (i.e., upward) with respect to the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32 through the elongated hole 79 from a position further in the downward direction 53 (i.e., downward) with respect to the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32. The elongated hole 79 is an example of an opening.

As shown in fig. 3, the light blocking wall 80 is formed on the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32 at a position closer to the front surface 140 than the elongated hole 79 is to the front surface 140. The light blocking wall 80 protrudes upward from the upper surface 141 and extends in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The central portions of the light blocking wall 80 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 are continuous with a later-described identification rib 81.

Further, the IC board 66 is disposed on the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32 at a position further in the forward direction 51 (i.e., forward) with respect to the movable member 91. A plurality of electrodes (not shown) are provided on the upper surface of the IC board 66. The plurality of electrodes each extend in the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 on the upper surface of the IC board 66, and are arranged spaced apart from each other in the leftward direction 56 and the rightward direction 55. The electrodes include, for example, a hot electrode, a ground electrode, a signal electrode, and the like. An IC (not shown) provided on the IC board 66 is electrically connected to each electrode. The IC is, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit that stores information (type information) representing the ink cartridge 30 such as a lot number and a manufacturing date in a readable format. In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110, the ICs are electrically connected to the controller 1 of the printer 10 through the respective electrodes (see fig. 1 and 10). The controller 1 determines the type of the ink cartridge 30 and the like based on the data read from the IC board 66.

As shown in fig. 3, the identification rib 81 is provided on the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32 at a position further in the rearward direction 52 (i.e., rearward) with respect to the IC board 66, i.e., at a position closer to the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31 than the IC board 66 is to the rear surface 41. The identification rib 81 is an example of a configuration in which the transmission property of light emitted from the optical sensor 123 differs depending on the type of the ink cartridge 30. The identification rib 81 is positioned further in the rearward direction 52 (i.e., rearward) with respect to the ink supply portion 34 and further in the forward direction 51 (i.e., forward) with respect to the light blocking wall 80.

The identification rib 81 shown in fig. 3 as the identification part has a light blocking part 82 and a through hole 83. The identification rib 81 protrudes from the upper surface 141 in the upward direction 54 and extends in the forward direction 51 and the rearward direction 52. The identification rib 81 has a thin plate shape whose dimensions in the leftward direction 56 and the rightward direction 55 are narrow. The through hole 83 is formed near the center of the identification rib 81 in the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 and passes through the identification rib 81 in the leftward direction 56 and the rightward direction 55.

During the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge attaching portion 110, the identification rib 81 enters the gap between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123, and blocks or attenuates the infrared light emitted from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123. As shown in fig. 8, when the ink cartridge 30 has been completely attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the through hole 83 of the identification rib 81 is located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123. The infrared light emitted from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123 passes through the through-hole 83 and reaches the light receiving portion without being blocked or attenuated by the identification rib 81. The through-hole 83 may or may not be formed in the identification rib 81 depending on the type of the ink cartridge 30. When the ink cartridge 30 including the identification rib 81 where the through-hole 83 is not formed, i.e., the light blocking portion 82 is formed along the entire size of the identification rib 81 in the insertion direction (i.e., the forward direction 51), is attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the light blocking portion 82 of the identification rib 81 is located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123 and blocks or attenuates infrared light emitted from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123. With the identification rib 81 having these configurations, the controller 1 detects the presence or absence of the through hole 83 of the identification rib 81 through the optical sensor 123, and determines the type of the ink cartridge 30.

< inner frame 35>

The internal frame 35 is made of resin. The inner frame 35 is formed in a box-like shape whose right end is opened. As shown in fig. 4, the internal frame 35 includes a left wall 126, a lower wall 127, a front wall 128, a rear wall 129, and an upper wall 130. As shown in fig. 5, the open right end of the inner frame 35 is sealed by a film 33, thereby forming an ink chamber 36 capable of storing ink therein.

The left wall 126 expands in the forward direction 51, the rearward direction 52, the upward direction 54, and the downward direction 53. A lower wall 127 projects in the right direction 55 from the lower end portion of the left wall 126. The lower wall 127 expands in the forward direction 51, the rearward direction 52, the right direction 55, and the left direction 56.

The front wall 128 protrudes in the right direction 55 from the front end portion of the left wall 126. The rear wall 129 projects in the rightward direction 55 from the rear end portion of the left wall 126. That is, the rear wall 129 is spaced from the front wall 128 in the rearward direction 52. Further, the ink chamber 36 is disposed between the front wall 128 and the rear wall 129. The upper wall 130 protrudes in the right direction 55 from the upper end portion of the left wall 126. Upper wall 130 is located between front wall 128 and rear wall 129. The upper end of the front wall 128 is connected to an upper wall 130. The upper end of the rear wall 129 is connected to the upper wall 130. The lower end of the front wall 128 is connected to the lower wall 127. The lower end of the rear wall 129 is connected to the lower wall 127.

The front wall 128 and the rear wall 129 expand in the right direction 55, the left direction 56, the upward direction 54, and the downward direction 53. The upper wall 130 expands in the forward direction 51, the rearward direction 52, the right direction 55, and the left direction 56.

The ink chamber 36 is defined by a left wall 126, a lower wall 127, a front wall 128, a rear wall 129, an upper wall 130, and the membrane 33.

The ink chamber 36 communicates with the outside thereof only through the ink supply port 71. In other words, the ink cartridge 30 does not have an air passage through which the ink chamber 36 communicates with the ambient air, except for the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply portion 34. Therefore, when the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 flows into the ink tube 20 through the ink needle 102 when the ink needle 102 is connected to the ink supply portion 34, the internal pressure of the ink chamber 36 is reduced.

Instead of the left wall 126, the inner frame 35 may include a right wall. In this case, the inner frame 35 may have an open left end, and the open left end may be sealed by the film 33. Further, the internal frame 35 may include a right wall in addition to the left wall 126. That is, at least one of the right and left walls as the side walls defining the right and left ends of the ink chamber 36 may be made of resin.

The upper wall 130 has a through hole 131 (an example of a communication passage). The through-hole 131 has a circular shape in a plan view. However, the through-hole 131 may have a shape other than a circular shape. The through hole 131 passes through the upper wall 130 and extends in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53. The deformable member 58 (described later) is fitted with the through hole 131. Thus, the deformable member 58 liquid-tightly seals the through hole 131.

< ink supply portion 34>

As shown in fig. 3, the ink supply portion 34 (an example of a liquid supply portion) is arranged at a lower portion of the front wall 128 and protrudes in the forward direction 51. The ink supply portion 34 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The ink supply portion 34 has a front end in which an ink supply port 71 is formed. The ink supply port 71 provides communication between the internal space 106 of the ink supply portion 34 and the outside of the ink cartridge 30. An opening (not shown) is formed in the rear end of the ink supply portion 34. The opening provides communication between the interior space 106 and the ink chamber 36.

The ink supply portion 34 is provided with a valve 107. A valve 107 is arranged in the inner space 106. The valve 107 is urged in the forward direction 51 by a coil spring (not shown). As the coil spring pushes the valve 107, the valve 107 contacts the annular seal member 72 provided in the ink supply port 71 and closes the ink supply port 71. Accordingly, the ink in the ink channel 44 is prevented from leaking out of the ink cartridge 30 through the ink supply port 71. The ink channel 44 communicates with the ink chamber 36 such that ink can flow from the ink chamber 36 into the ink channel 44.

During the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge attaching part 110 in the forward direction 51, the ink needle 102 (see fig. 2) enters the inner space 106 of the ink supplying part 34 through the ink supplying port 71 and pushes the valve 107. The valve 107 thus moves in the rearward direction 52 against the urging force of the coil spring. As a result, the ink in the ink channel 44 flows into the ink tubes 20 connected to the ink needles 102 through the internal spaces 106 of the ink supply portions 34 and the internal spaces 104 (see fig. 2) of the ink needles 102.

Incidentally, an opening (not shown) is formed at a side surface of the ink needle 102. The ink in the internal space 106 of the ink supply portion 34 can flow into the internal space 104 through the opening of the ink needle 102. Further, the ink needle 102 has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the sealing member 72. The ink needle 102 is inserted into the sealing member 72 while pushing the sealing member 72 radially outward. Therefore, in a state where the ink needle 102 enters the sealing member 72, no gap is formed between the ink needle 102 and the sealing member 72. Therefore, ink can be prevented from leaking between the ink needle 102 and the seal member 72.

The ink supply portion 34 is not limited to the structure including the valve 107. For example, the ink supply port 71 may be closed by a film. In this case, when the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching part 110, the ink needle 102 pierces the film. Accordingly, the distal end portion of the ink needle 102 enters the internal space 106 of the ink supply portion 34 through the ink supply port 71.

< Deformable part 58>

The deformable member 58 is made of an elastic material such as silicone, rubber, or the like. As shown in fig. 4, the deformable member 58 includes a disc-shaped base portion 59 and a swelling portion 60, the swelling portion 60 rising from one end of the base portion 59 and having a dome-like shape. The base portion 59 has an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole 131. The ridge 60 has an outer diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the through hole 131. The ridge portion 60 is inserted into the through hole 131 in the upward direction 54 from a position below the through hole 131, and the base portion 59 is brought into close contact with the portion of the upper wall 130 defining the through hole 131, whereby the deformable member 58 is attached to the upper wall 130.

In the state where the deformable member 58 is attached to the upper wall 130, the bulging portion 60 bulges (expands) further in the upward direction 54 (i.e., upward) with respect to the upper wall 130. In other words, the raised portion 60 protrudes higher than the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32 (i.e., further upward with respect to the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32). The rise portion 60 has an internal space communicating with the ink chamber 36 through a through hole 131. When the internal pressure of the ink chamber 36 decreases, the bulging portion 60 is pulled in the downward direction 53 and elastically deformed so that the volume of the internal space of the bulging portion 60 decreases. Alternatively, when the urging force or pressing force of the movable member 91 in the downward direction 53 becomes greater than the internal pressure of the bulging portion 60 with a decrease in the internal pressure of the ink chamber 36, the bulging portion 60 elastically deforms so that the volume of the internal space of the bulging portion 60 decreases. In other words, as the internal pressure of the ink chamber 36 decreases, the bulging portion 60 elastically deforms such that the bulging (i.e., expansion) of the bulging portion 60 in the upward direction 54 decreases. Note that, when the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the internal spaces of the ink chamber 36 and the bulging portion 60 can communicate with the outside of the ink cartridge 30 only through the ink supply portion 34.

The deformable member 58 is a film made of synthetic resin. That is, the deformable member 58 is made of an elastic material. The stiffness of the deformable member 58 is higher than the stiffness of the membrane 33 attached to the internal frame 35. That is, when the internal pressure of the ink chamber 36 decreases, the membrane 33 deforms so as to bend inward before the deformable member 58 deforms. Further, the hardness of the deformable member 58 is set so that the deformable member 58 is not deformed by the weight of the movable member 91.

< Movable part 91>

As shown in fig. 4, the movable member 91 is pivotally supported by the support shaft 48. The movable member 91 is formed in an elongated flat plate shape whose longitudinal direction is aligned in the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52. When the pair of maximum surfaces of the movable member 91 face the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, the movable member 91 is pivotally movable about the support shaft 48 serving as a pivot center. The movable member 91 has a through hole 92 through which the support shaft 48 is inserted, a detection portion 93, and a stopper 94.

In the movable member 91, the detection portion 93 is provided at a position further in the forward direction 51 (i.e., forward) with respect to the support shaft 48. The detection portion 93 is located on and in contact with the deformable member 58. The detection portion 93 may be disposed only on a part of the deformable member 58. That is, the detection portion 93 is arranged such that at least a part of the detection portion 93 overlaps with the deformable member 58 in a plan view. Note that the detection portion 93 may be disposed above the deformable member 58, and may not necessarily be in direct contact with the deformable member 58, as long as the detection portion 93 can change its position with deformation of the deformable member 58. Therefore, the detection portion 93 is positioned further in the upward direction 54 (i.e., upward) with respect to the deformable member 58.

The detection section 93 is adapted to be detected by blocking or attenuating light emitted from the outside (i.e., the optical sensor 121). More specifically, when the light output from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 121 reaches one of the left and right surfaces of the detection portion 93, the intensity (transmission state) of the light that passes through the other of the left and right surfaces of the detection portion 93 and reaches the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 121 becomes less than a prescribed intensity, for example, 0 (zero). The detection part 93 may completely block light traveling in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56, may partially absorb light, may deflect light, or may completely reflect light.

In this embodiment, the surfaces of the detection portion 93 facing the rightward direction 55 and the leftward direction 56 are exposed to the outside so as to be able to be contacted from the outside. However, the detection section 93 may be covered by a light-transmissive cover that allows light from the outside to be transmitted therethrough.

In the movable member 91, a stopper 94 is provided at a position further in the rearward direction 52 (i.e., rearward) with respect to the support shaft 48. In other words, the stopper 94 is positioned opposite to the detection portion 93 with respect to the support shaft 48. The stopper 94 is positioned directly above the upper wall 130 of the inner frame 35. As shown in fig. 8, when the detection portion 93 comes into contact with the deformable member 58 that has not been deformed, i.e., that has been swollen (expanded) in the upward direction 54, the stopper 94 is arranged to be spaced from the upper surface of the upper wall 130. Note that the position where the detection portion 93 contacts the deformable member 58 that has not been elastically deformed will be referred to as a first position (see fig. 8). The first position is an example of an upper position. As shown in fig. 8, in a state where the detection portion 93 is in contact with the deformable member 58, the movable member 91 is pivotally movable in the counterclockwise direction in fig. 8 so that the detection portion 93 is further moved in the upward direction 54. However, when the detection portion 93 is further moved in the upward direction 54 from the state shown in fig. 8, the stopper 94 comes into contact with the upper surface of the upper wall 130 of the inner frame 35. When the stopper 94 contacts the upper surface of the upper wall 130, the movable member 91 is restricted from pivotally moving further in the counterclockwise direction in fig. 8. That is, the stopper 94 is configured to limit the pivotal movement of the movable member in the counterclockwise direction in fig. 8. As shown in fig. 9, when the deformable member 58 has been deformed so as to be contracted in the downward direction 53, the detection portion 93 moves in the downward direction 53 due to its own weight. Note that the position where the detection portion 93 contacts the deformable member 58 that has been elastically deformed will be referred to as a second position (see fig. 9). The second position is an example of a lower position. As a result, the movable member 91 pivotally moves about the support shaft 48 in the clockwise direction in fig. 9. That is, the positions of the detection portion 93 in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53 are changed with the elastic deformation of the deformable member 58. In other words, the detection portion 93 is configured to move in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53 with the elastic deformation of the deformable member 58. Incidentally, the stopper 94 is not necessary for the movable member 91, and therefore, the movable member 91 may not be provided with the stopper 94.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the right side wall 37 and the right wall 46 are positioned further in the right direction 55 (i.e., to the right) with respect to the movable member 91, and the left side wall 38 and the left wall 47 are positioned further in the left direction 56 (i.e., to the left) with respect to the movable member 91. In the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52, the front end of the right side wall 37 and the front end of the right wall 46 are positioned closer to the support shaft 48 than the detection portion 93 is to the support shaft 48. In the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52, the front end of the left side wall 38 and the front end of the left wall 47 are positioned closer to the support shaft 48 than the detection portion 93 is to the support shaft 48. In other words, the detection portion 93 protrudes in the forward direction 51 from the respective front ends of the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the right wall 46, and the left wall 47. That is, no wall exists in the rightward direction 55 and the leftward direction 56 of the detection section 93.

The light blocking wall 80 is further arranged in the forward direction 51 (i.e., forward) with respect to the detection section 93. However, spaces (examples of openings) elongated in the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 are formed between the light blocking wall 80 and the right side wall 37, the right wall 46, the left side wall 38, and the left wall 47. This space allows the detection portion 93 to be exposed to the outside in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. Accordingly, light emitted from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 121 passes through this space to reach the detecting portion 93 at the first position.

Further, the positions in the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 of the right wall 46 and the left wall 47 overlap with the positions in the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 of the support shaft 48. The positions in the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 of the right side wall 37 and the left side wall 38 overlap the positions in the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 of the support shaft 48. In other words, the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the right wall 46, and the left wall 47 overlap with the support shaft 48 as viewed in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.

Further, the upper end of the right wall 46 and the upper end of the left wall 47 are further positioned in the upward direction 54 (i.e., upward) with respect to the support shaft 48. Further, the upper end of the right wall 46 and the upper end of the left wall 47 are positioned further in the upward direction 54 (i.e., upward) with respect to the detection portion 93 at the first position.

The support shaft 48 is located between the detection portion 93 at the first position (see fig. 8) where the detection portion 93 is in contact with the deformable member 58 that has not been elastically deformed and the detection portion 93 at the second position (see fig. 9) where the detection portion 93 is in contact with the deformable member 58 that has been elastically deformed in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53.

< controller 1>

The printer 10 includes a controller 1 shown in fig. 10. The controller 1 includes, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The controller 1 may be disposed inside the housing of the printer 10 as a control board for controlling the printer 10 or may be provided in the casing 101 as a separate control board independent of the controller for the printer 10. The controller 1 is connected to the IC board 66, the optical sensor 121, the optical sensor 123, and the lid sensor 118 so as to be able to transmit and receive electric signals to and from the IC board 66, the optical sensor 121, the optical sensor 123, and the lid sensor 118. The controller 1 is also connected to other members such as a motor and a touch panel so as to be able to transmit and receive electric signals to and from these members, but these members are omitted in fig. 10. Programs that cause the controller 1 to execute various processes are stored in the ROM. The CPU performs calculations and issues commands to components connected to the controller 1 to execute processes based on programs stored in the ROM. The RAM functions as a memory for temporarily storing various information.

When the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 121 receives light emitted in the left direction 56 from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 121 to the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 121, the optical sensor 121 transmits a high level signal to the controller 1. When the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 121 does not receive light emitted in the left direction 56 from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 121 to the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 121, the optical sensor 121 transmits a low level signal to the controller 1.

When the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123 receives light emitted in the left direction 56 from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123 to the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123, the optical sensor 123 transmits a high level signal to the controller 1. When the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123 does not receive light emitted in the left direction 56 from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123 to the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123, the optical sensor 123 transmits a low level signal to the controller 1.

< attachment detection and ink remaining amount detection >

Next, detection of attachment of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge attaching portion 110 using the optical sensor 123 and detection of the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 36 using the optical sensor 121 will be described.

As shown in fig. 2, in the cartridge attaching portion 110 into which the ink cartridge 30 has not been inserted, there is no object between the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 121 and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 121, so that the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 121 is not interrupted. Further, there is no object between the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123 and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123, so that the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123 is not interrupted. Accordingly, as shown by an arrow "a" in fig. 11A, the optical sensor 121 transmits a high level signal to the controller 1. Further, as shown by an arrow "a" in fig. 11B, the optical sensor 123 transmits a high-level signal to the controller 1.

Further, as shown in fig. 4, in the ink cartridge 30 that has not been inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110, the ridge portion 60 of the deformable member 58 protrudes further in the upward direction 54 (i.e., upward) with respect to a part of the upper surface of the upper wall 130 through the through hole 131. That is, the raised portion 60 protrudes further in the upward direction 54 (i.e., upward) relative to the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32. The detection portion 93 is disposed at the first position and is in contact with the deformable member 58.

When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110 in the forward direction 51 after the cover of the cartridge attaching portion 110 is opened, the inclined surface 175 of the locking portion 43 abuts against the locking lever 145 to be pressed by the locking lever 145. Thereby, the locking portion 43 moves in the downward direction 53. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the forward direction 51, the inclined surface 175 moves past the lock lever 145 in the forward direction 51. At this time, the locking portion 43 is no longer pressed by the locking lever 145. Accordingly, the locking portion 43 moves in the upward direction 54. As a result, the locking surface 171 faces the locking lever 145 rearward in the rearward direction 52. Thus, the ink cartridge 30 is fixed in position in the cartridge attaching portion 110 and is completely attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110.

When the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge attaching portion 110 in the rearward direction 52, the operating portion 90 is pressed in the downward direction 53 to move the locking portion 43 in the downward direction 53. Accordingly, locking surface 171 is positioned further in a downward direction 53 (i.e., downward) relative to locking lever 145. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 can be removed from the cartridge attaching part 110 without being blocked by the locking lever 145.

As shown in fig. 6, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110 in the forward direction 51, the light blocking portion 82 of the recognition rib 81 is located between the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 121 and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 121. Therefore, the signal transmitted from the optical sensor 121 to the controller 1 changes from the high-level signal to the low-level signal as shown by an arrow "B" in fig. 11A. At this time, no portion of the ink cartridge 30 exists between the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123 and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123, and therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123 is not interrupted. Therefore, the signal transmitted from the optical sensor 123 to the controller 1 remains unchanged, that is, the optical sensor 123 remains transmitting a high-level signal to the controller 1.

As shown in fig. 7, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110, the through hole 83 of the recognition rib 81 moves past the optical sensor 121 and the recognition rib 81 is further positioned in the forward direction 51 (i.e., forward) with respect to the optical sensor 121. Therefore, the signal transmitted from the optical sensor 121 to the controller 1 changes from the low-level signal to the high-level signal as shown by an arrow "C" in fig. 11A. The light blocking part 82 of the recognition rib 81 is located between the light emitting part of the optical sensor 123 and the light receiving part of the optical sensor 123. Therefore, the signal transmitted from the optical sensor 123 to the controller 1 changes from the high-level signal to the low-level signal as shown by an arrow "B" in fig. 11B.

When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110 and the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110, as shown in fig. 8, the through hole 83 of the identification rib 81 is located between the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123 and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123. That is, the through-hole 83 of the identification rib 81 allows light emitted from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123 to pass therethrough. The signal transmitted from the optical sensor 123 to the controller 1 thus changes from the low-level signal to the high-level signal as shown by an arrow "C" in fig. 11B after changing from the high-level signal to the low-level signal.

Further, the detection part 93 is located between the light emitting part of the optical sensor 121 and the light receiving part of the optical sensor 121, and blocks light emitted from the light emitting part of the optical sensor 121. The signal transmitted from the optical sensor 121 to the controller 1 thus changes from a high-level signal to a low-level signal as shown by an arrow "D" in fig. 11A.

After the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge attaching part 110, the cover of the cartridge attaching part 110 is closed.

The movable member 91 does not pivotally move during the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge attaching portion 110. Accordingly, in the state shown in fig. 8, the detection part 93 is located at the first position.

As described above, the detection section 93 in the first position blocks the light emitted from the optical sensor 121 in the leftward direction 56. Further, after the light block 82 of the recognition rib 81 blocks the light emitted from the optical sensor 123 in the left direction 56, the through hole 83 of the recognition rib 81 allows the light to pass therethrough.

Next, a process performed by the controller 1 to determine whether the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110 will be described with reference to a flowchart in fig. 12.

The controller 1 counts the number of changes of the signal transmitted from the optical sensor 123 to the controller 1 from the high-level signal to the low-level signal after the cover of the cartridge attaching part 110 is opened and until the cover of the cartridge attaching part 110 is closed, and stores the counted number in the RAM (S100).

Then, the controller 1 determines whether the cover is closed (S110). If the controller 1 determines that the cover is not closed (no in S110), the controller 1 repeats the process in S110. If the controller 1 determines that the cover is closed (yes in S110), the controller 1 refers to the number of changes stored in the RAM (S120). Then, if the number of changes is 1 or more (yes in S120), the controller 1 determines that the ink cartridge 30 has been properly attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 (S130). If the number of changes is zero (no in S120), the controller 1 determines that an ink cartridge different from the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 or the ink cartridge 30 is not attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 (S140).

Next, how the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 36 is detected using the optical sensor 121 will be described.

In a state where a sufficient amount of ink remains in the ink chamber 36, as shown in fig. 8, the detection portion 93 is located between the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 121 and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 121. Therefore, as shown by an arrow "a" in fig. 11C, the optical sensor 121 transmits a low-level signal to the controller 1.

When the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is consumed and the amount of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 decreases from the state shown in fig. 8 to the state shown in fig. 9, the film 33 defining a part of the ink chamber 36 is deformed inward so that the volume of the ink chamber 36 decreases.

When the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is further consumed and the amount of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is further reduced after the deformation of the film 33 to the maximum, the internal pressure of the ink chamber 36 is reduced. As the internal pressure of the ink chamber 36 decreases, the bulging portion 60 elastically deforms so as to contract in the downward direction 53. As a result, the uppermost end of the rising portion 60 moves in the downward direction 53 to the vicinity of the upper surface of the upper wall 130. At this time, the movable member 91 pivotally moves so that the detection portion 93 moves in the downward direction 53 due to its own weight (gravity), that is, the detection portion 93 moves from the first position to the second position.

Alternatively, as the internal pressure of the ink chamber 36 decreases, the urging force or pressing force exerted by the movable member 91 on the raised portion 60 becomes greater than the force that allows the raised portion 60 to rise, and the detection portion 93 starts moving in the downward direction 53 so that the lower surface of the movable member 91 compresses the raised portion 60.

When the detection section 93 is in the second position, as shown in fig. 9, the detection section 93 is not located between the light emitting section of the optical sensor 121 and the light receiving section of the optical sensor 121. Accordingly, light emitted from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 121 reaches the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 121 without being blocked by the detection portion 93. Therefore, as shown by an arrow "B" in fig. 11C, the signal transmitted from the optical sensor 121 to the controller 1 changes from a low-level signal to a high-level signal. As a result, the controller 1 detects that the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber 36 becomes less than a predetermined amount.

< operational advantages >

According to the above-described embodiment, the deformable member 58 is located above the ink chamber 36 in the ink cartridge 30 in the operating posture. Therefore, even if ink has flowed into the internal space of the deformable member 58, the ink in the internal space of the deformable member 58 flows back into the ink chamber 36 due to gravity. Accordingly, accurate detection of the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 36 can be achieved.

Further, the respective front ends of the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the right wall 46, and the left wall 47 of the rear cover 31 are closer to the support shaft 48 than the detection portion 93 of the movable member 91 is to the support shaft 48 in the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52. Therefore, the support shaft 48 and a part of the movable member 91 can be protected by the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the right wall 46, and the left wall 47.

Further, the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the right wall 46, and the left wall 47 are provided at positions overlapping with the support shaft 48 with respect to the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52. In other words, the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the right wall 46, and the left wall 47 overlap with the support shaft 48 as viewed in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. Further, the respective upper ends of the right wall 46 and the left wall 47 are located above the support shaft 48. Therefore, even if the ink cartridge 30 falls with the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31 facing downward or even if an external force is applied to the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31, the support shaft 48 is protected by the right and left

walls

46 and 47. Therefore, damage to the support shaft 48, such as breakage or deformation, can be prevented.

Further, the respective upper ends of the right wall 46 and the left wall 47 are located above the detection portion 93 at the first position. Therefore, the detection part 93 is also protected by the right wall 46 and the left wall 47. Accordingly, damage to the detection portion 93, such as breakage or deformation, can also be prevented.

Further, when the light blocking wall 80 is positioned forward from the detection section 93, the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the right wall 46, and the left wall 47 are positioned backward from the detection section 93. Therefore, the detection unit 93 is protected more reliably. Further, the detection section 93 can be optically detected in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 by a space formed between the light blocking wall 80 and the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the right wall 46, and the left wall 47.

Further, the movable member 91 is pivotally movable about the support shaft 48 serving as a center of pivotal movement. Therefore, smooth movement of the movable member 91 can be achieved.

Further, the stopper 94 of the movable member 91 contacts the inner frame 35, thereby restricting the movable member 91 from pivotally moving in a direction in which the detection portion 93 is away from the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31, i.e., in the upward direction 54. This configuration can prevent the detection portion 93 from moving too far away from the upper surface 39.

Further, the support shaft 48 is located between the detection portion 93 at the first position and the detection portion 93 at the second position in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53. This configuration can improve the efficiency of the pivotal movement of the movable member 91 with respect to the deformation of the deformable member 58.

< first modification >

Next, an ink cartridge 230 as a liquid cartridge according to a first modification to the embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 13A to 13D, in which similar parts and members are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the above-described embodiment to avoid repetitive description.

The ink cartridge 230 has a structure capable of ensuring that the internal pressure of the ink chamber 236 is easily and reliably reduced when the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 236 is being reduced.

As shown in fig. 13A to 13D, the ink cartridge 230 includes an ink chamber 236, an ink passage 244, and a differential pressure regulating valve 257. As in the above-described embodiment, the ink chamber 236 is defined by the internal frame 35 and the membrane 33. Further, as in the above-described embodiment, the ink chamber 236 is covered by the back cover 31 and the front cover 32.

An ink passage 244 is formed in the front of the ink cartridge 230. An ink chamber 236 is formed in the rear of the ink cartridge 230.

Ink channel 244 includes a first channel 251 and a second channel 252. The first channel 251 communicates with the ink supply portion 34. The second passage 252 is formed at a position further in the rearward direction 52 (i.e., rearward) with respect to the first passage 251. The second channel 252 communicates with the first channel 251 through the opening 254, and communicates with the first ink chamber 236A of the ink chamber 236 through the opening 255 and the passage 262. The opening 255 is opened and closed by a spherical body 256 that is movable in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53.

The ink chamber 236 includes a first ink chamber 236A and a second ink chamber 236B. The second ink chamber 236B is formed at a position further in the rearward direction 52 (i.e., rearward) with respect to the second channel 252. The second ink chamber 236B communicates with the first channel 251 through the opening 258 and the passage 260, and communicates with the first ink chamber 236A through the passage 253. The opening 258 is opened and closed by a ball 259 that is movable in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53.

A differential pressure regulating valve 257 is provided between the ink chamber 236 and the ink passage 244. Differential pressure regulating valve 257 allows ink chamber 236 and ink passage 244 to communicate with each other based on the difference between the pressure inside ink chamber 236 and the pressure inside ink passage 244.

The differential pressure regulating valve 257 includes the two

spherical bodies

256 and 259 described above. A ball 256 is disposed in the second passage 252. The specific gravity of the spherical body 256 is larger than that of the ink. Therefore, when the second passage 252 is filled with ink, the spherical body 256 moves (i.e., sinks) in the downward direction 53 to close the opening 255. The spherical body 259 is disposed in the second ink chamber 236B. The specific gravity of the spherical body 259 is smaller than that of the ink. Therefore, when the second ink chamber 236B is filled with ink, the spherical body 256 moves (i.e., floats) in the upward direction 54 due to buoyancy exerted by the ink, thereby opening the opening 258.

The deformable member 58 is disposed at an upper end portion of the first channel 251. That is, the deformable member 58 communicates with the ink chamber 236 through the ink passage 244. The movable member 91 and the identification rib 81 are disposed above the upper wall 130. The deformable member 58, the movable member 91, and the identification rib 81 have the same configurations as those of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the differential pressure regulating valve 257 according to this modification will be described.

As shown in fig. 13A, when ink chamber 236 and ink passage 244 are filled with ink, ball 256 sinks to close opening 255, and ball 259 floats to open opening 258. Accordingly, when ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 230 to the corresponding ink tube 20, the ink in the first ink chamber 236A is supplied to the ink tube 20 through the second ink chamber 236B, the first channel 251, and the ink supply portion 34.

When the ink in ink chamber 236 decreases to the level shown in fig. 13B, the buoyancy force exerted by the ink is no longer applied to spherical body 259. Accordingly, the ball 259 moves in the downward direction 53 to close the opening 258. As a result, communication between ink passage 244 and ink chamber 236 is interrupted. Accordingly, the ink in the ink passage 244 is supplied to the ink tube 20 through the ink supply portion 34 for supplying the ink from the ink cartridge 230 to the ink tube 20.

When the amount of ink in the ink passage 244 decreases, a negative pressure is generated in the ink passage 244 (see fig. 13C). In fig. 13C, the generation of the negative pressure is illustrated by increasing the density of the broken line in the ink channel 244.

As the negative pressure in the ink passage 244 becomes smaller than the pressure inside the ink chamber 236 by more than the predetermined value, as shown in fig. 13D, the spherical body 256 moves in the upward direction 54 due to the negative pressure in the ink passage 244. In other words, when the pressure inside ink passage 244 is less than the pressure inside ink chamber 236 by a predetermined value or more, spherical body 256 opens opening 255. The predetermined value is set to a value suitable for allowing the ink in the ink passage 244 to reliably and efficiently flow out to the outside thereof by adjusting the material and size of the spherical body 256 or the size of the opening 255.

Further, as the negative pressure in the ink channel 244 becomes smaller than the pressure inside the ink chamber 236 by a predetermined value or more, the deformable member 58 is elastically deformed so as to be contracted in the downward direction 53. As a result, the deformable member 58 retracts in the downward direction 53 relative to the upper surface of the upper wall 130. Therefore, the movable member 91 pivotally moves due to its own weight or urging force, so that the detection portion 93 moves from the first position to the second position. Accordingly, the controller 1 can detect that the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber 236 and the ink passage 244 becomes small.

When the opening 255 is opened, the first ink chamber 236A and the second channel 252 are brought into communication with each other. As a result, the pressure inside the ink passage 244 is restored from the negative pressure to a level slightly closer to the atmospheric pressure. Thus, the ball 256 closes the opening 255 again. Note that the pressure inside the ink chamber 236 at this time is set to such a level that the elastically deformed deformable member 58 does not recover its original shape. Thereafter, when the opening and closing of the opening 255 are repeated, the ink in the ink passage 244 is consumed.

According to the first modification described above, when a large amount of ink remains in the ink chamber 236, the spherical body 259 is floated by buoyancy so that the opening 258 is opened. Accordingly, ink stored in ink chamber 236 flows into ink channel 244 through opening 258 and out of ink supply 34. Further, because opening 258 is open, the pressure inside ink chamber 236 is equal to the pressure inside ink channel 244. Thus, the opening 255 is closed.

When the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber 236 has decreased, the spherical body 259 can no longer remain floating, and closes the opening 258. Thus, communication between ink channel 244 and ink chamber 236 is interrupted. This allows the ink in the ink passage 244 to flow out of the ink cartridge 230 through the ink supply portion 34. As a result, the negative pressure in the ink passage 244 becomes larger. In other words, the pressure inside the ink passage 244 becomes smaller. Opening 255 is thereby opened, and the pressure inside ink channel 244 increases to the same level as the pressure inside ink chamber 236. When the pressure inside ink passage 244 becomes the same level as the pressure inside ink chamber 236, opening 255 is closed. Thereafter, the opening of opening 255 due to the pressure decrease inside ink passage 244 caused by the ink outflow in ink passage 244 and the closing of opening 255 due to the pressure increase inside ink passage 244 caused by the opening of opening 255 are repeated.

In the first modification, the deformable member 58 communicates with the ink chamber 236 through the ink passage 244. Accordingly, the deformable member 58 can be elastically deformed due to the change in the internal pressure of the ink passage 244.

< other modifications >

In the above-described embodiment, the movable member 91 can be pivotally moved due to its own weight, so that the detection portion 93 is moved from the first position to the second position. However, the movable member 91 may be urged by an urging member such as a torsion coil spring in a direction along which the detection portion 93 moves from the first position to the second position.

Further, the movement of the movable member 91 for causing the detection portion 93 to move from the first position to the second position is not limited to the pivotal movement. For example, the movable member 91 may be supported to the rear cover 31 at a position above the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31 and be slidable in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53. In this case, the detection part 93 may be adapted to move from the first position to the second position along with the sliding movement of the movable member 91.

Further, respective front ends of the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the right wall 46, and the left wall 47 may extend to positions further in the forward direction 51 (i.e., forward) with respect to the detection portion 93. In this case, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123 are located between the detection portion 93 and the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the right wall 46, and the left wall 47, thereby enabling the controller 1 to detect the detection portion 93 through the optical sensor 123.

In the above-described embodiment, the detection portion 93 of the movable member 91 is arranged such that at least a part of the detection portion 93 overlaps with the deformable member 58 in a plan view. However, the detection portion 93 may not overlap with the deformable member 58 in a plan view. For example, the detection portion 93 may be positioned further in the forward direction 51 (i.e., forward) with respect to the deformable member 58, and a portion of the movable member 91 between the detection portion 93 and the support shaft 48 may be adapted to contact the deformable member 58.

In the above-described embodiment, the detection section 93 is located between the light emitting section of the optical sensor 123 and the light receiving section of the optical sensor 123, thereby blocking the light emitted from the light emitting section of the optical sensor 123. However, instead of blocking light, the detection section 93 may attenuate light emitted from the light emitting section of the optical sensor 123. Specifically, the illumination intensity of light received by the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123 when the detection portion 93 is located between the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123 and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123 may only have to be smaller than the illumination intensity of light received by the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123 when the detection portion 93 is not located between the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 123 and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 123.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ink chamber 36 is configured by the internal frame 35 and the film 33. However, for example, the ink chamber 36 may not include the internal frame 35. In this case, the ink chamber 36 may be formed as an internal space of a bag-shaped member made of a flexible film. An elastic member such as a spring for restricting deformation of the film is provided in the internal space of the bag-shaped member, thereby maintaining a predetermined internal volume with respect to deformation of the film that reduces the internal volume of the ink chamber 36. Therefore, as the ink is consumed, the pressure inside the internal space decreases.

Further, the ink cartridge 30 may not be provided with the front cover 32 and the rear cover 31. For example, a part corresponding to the inner frame 35 constitutes a housing, and the deformable member 58 and the movable member 91 may be provided on an outer surface of the inner frame 35.

In the above-described embodiments, the ink has been described as an example of the liquid. However, the liquid is not limited to the ink. For example, instead of ink, pretreatment liquid that is ejected before ink during printing to a sheet may be used as the liquid.

While the present disclosure has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A liquid cartridge comprising:

a housing including a liquid chamber capable of storing liquid therein, the liquid chamber being configured such that an internal pressure of the liquid chamber is reduced as liquid flows out of the liquid chamber, the housing including an upper surface defined based on an attachment posture of the liquid cartridge;

a liquid supply portion configured to allow liquid stored in the liquid chamber to flow out of the liquid chamber, the liquid supply portion protruding in a forward direction;

a deformable member further protruding in an upward direction with respect to the upper surface of the housing, the deformable member having an internal space communicating with the liquid chamber, the deformable member being elastically deformable so that a volume of the internal space is reduced as an internal pressure of the liquid chamber is reduced;

a movable member including a detection portion movable in the upward direction and the downward direction along with elastic deformation of the deformable member; and

a support member that movably supports the movable member.

2. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is in contact with the deformable member.

3. The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the housing includes a wall extending in the upward direction from the upper surface of the housing, and

wherein the wall has a front end positioned closer to the support member than the detection portion.

4. The liquid cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the supporting member is positioned further upward with respect to the upper surface of the housing, and

wherein the wall overlaps the support member as viewed in the rightward and leftward directions, the wall having an upper end positioned further upward relative to the support member.

5. The liquid cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the wall has an upper end positioned further upward with respect to the detection portion.

6. The liquid cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the front end of the wall is positioned further rearward with respect to the detection portion, the detection portion being exposed to an outside of the liquid cartridge.

7. The liquid cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the movable member is pivotally movable about the support member.

8. The liquid cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the support member is supported by the wall.

9. The liquid cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the movable member includes a stopper for restricting a pivotal movement of the movable member, the stopper being positioned opposite to the detection portion with respect to the support member.

10. The liquid cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the detection portion is movable from an upper position at which the detection portion is in contact with the deformable member that has not been elastically deformed to a lower position at which the detection portion is in contact with the deformable member that has been elastically deformed, and

wherein the support member is disposed between the detection portion at the upper position and the detection portion at the lower position in the upward direction and the downward direction.

11. The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the deformable member is formed of an elastic material.

12. The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the detection portion of the movable member is positioned further upward with respect to the deformable member.

13. The liquid cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the wall includes a pair of wall portions, one of which is provided on a left side of the movable member and the other of which is provided on a right side of the movable member.

14. The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the housing further comprises:

a front surface on which the liquid supply portion is provided;

a rear surface opposite the front surface;

a lower surface opposite the upper surface, the upper surface extending between the front surface and the rear surface; and

a membrane defining a portion of the liquid chamber, the membrane being deformable with outflow of liquid from the liquid chamber such that a volume of the liquid chamber is reduced, and

wherein the upper surface of the housing has an opening through which a portion of the deformable member is inserted.

15. The liquid cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the deformable member has a hardness higher than a hardness of the membrane.

16. The liquid cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the support member extends in a right direction and a left direction, and

wherein the movable member is pivotally movable about the support member.

17. The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the housing has a communication passage for allowing the inner space of the deformable member to communicate with the liquid chamber, the communication passage extending in the upward direction and the downward direction.